Disclaimer: I don't own Reba or Major Dad
Major John D Mc;gill's sat in his friend Jack's psychology office.
"So," Jack said, "What seems to be the problem?"
"Well you know I'm married right," John said
"Yes. I was at the wedding," Jack smirked.
"I have 3 stepdaughters, Robin, Casey and Elizabeth, I love them very much. I love Polly very much. Polly is actually pregnant again and we just found out it's a little boy. Well this is going to be our second child. Our first is a girl, Ellen and she's going to be 18 months old on Friday."
"Sounds like your life is great," Jack said
"It is," John replied, "But Polly and I have a problem with discipline. Robin is a typical teenage girl. She has a bad habit of coming back at least 5 minutes after her curfew. I have tried grounding her every time she comes in late. I've tried giving her extra chores. I've tried everything. Nothing works and she becomes sullen and angry."
"I understand that must be frustrating for you. John, imagine you're a teenage boy around Robin's age and your father disciplines you like that for coming in 5 minutes late. How do you think you might feel?"
"We would shake hands and that would be the end of it," John said, "That's how we do it in the marine"
"Here's the problem," Jack said, "You're not in the marines in your family life. You are raising a family not training solders."
"Yes and that's why I'm here," John said, "The discipline I do is all I know and I want to learn how to be a better father. What can I do with Robin for example."
"Well," Jack said, "Does she always come in a short time later then her curfew?"
"No more then fifteen minutes," John said
"Sounds like she may be trying to tell you she's ready for a later curfew. Increase it a little bit and use it as currency. If she sticks with the curfew let her keep it. If she gets in more then 20 minutes later without a reasonable excuse she goes back to the old curfew"
John nodded. He liked that idea.
"We also have a problem with Casey," he said, "She never does her chores. No matter how many lectures I give her... and yes I know it's not the best way to go but what can I do?"
"How about letting her pick her chores," Jack asked.
"I guess I could try that. What about Elizabeth though? She has an independent streak. Like when Ellen was a baby for instance. She would pick her up and carry her around without permission.
"Watch her closely and show her where she needs improvement," Jack replied, "John you're a good father. Just remember that when your in the marines your in the marines and at home... well you're... major dad"
John smiled.
"Major dad huh? Hm... I like that. I like that a lot."
He walked out of Jack's office smiling. He was Major dad.